Federal attempts to illegally control what types of light bulbs Americans are permitted to buy and use have been thwarted by the great state of Texas, thanks to the recent passage of HB 2510. The bill effectively exempts incandescent light bulbs made and sold within the state of Texas from having to comply with federal light bulb restrictions that are set to come into effect in 2012.

Authored by Marva Beck (R-Centerville), HB 2510 was passed in both the Texas House and Senate on May 25, and signed into law by Governor Rick Perry on June 17. Its provisions will come into effect on January 1, 2012, the same day that the light bulb prohibitions in the Energy Independence Act of 2007, which were signed into law by former President George W. Bush, are also set to come into effect.

“People don’t want the government dictating the lighting they can use,” said Rep. Joe Barton (R-Arlington), who is pushing for a full repeal of the Energy Independence Act. “Traditional incandescent bulbs have been brightening the night since Thomas Edison created the first one in 1879. They are safe, cheap, and reliable.”

Gov. Perry’s office apparently holds a similar notion, adding further that compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, which are touted as being “greener” because they use less energy, are loaded with toxic chemicals and are difficult to dispose of in a safe manner.

“The ‘new and improved’ compact fluorescent light bulbs don’t work as promised, are significantly more expensive, as are the LEDs, and have environmental and disposal problems due to the mercury they contain,” said the statement.

Similar bills in both South Carolina and Georgia have been passed by one portion of their state Congresses, and both are awaiting a hearing in the other. H 3735 in South Carolina is currently awaiting a hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry, while SB 61 in Georgia is awaiting a hearing in the House (http://ceolas.net/index-x.html#li01inx).